Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-09-18
RICHMOND COLLEGE
PREPARATIONS FOa THE SESSION NOW
SOON TO BEGIa.
The New Buildings Thomss- Memorial
Kali and Dir. Broaduss Address
A Promising Prospect.

The sessions Of Richmond College
begin on the Thursday nearest to the
autumnal equinox-that is this year on
the 22d instant. Students are already
beginning to arrive. All the dormito-
rics but three or four have been as
signed on written application, and more
than enough young men to fill these
have signified their purpose to come.
/ est any should be deferred, however,
tione, IT may be added that there are
still some very comfortable rooms in
the mansard and half n dozen nice
families near by who will furnish board
and lodging at reasonable rates. The
college has never sought and does not
now desire "bOom." 1t prefers
steady improvement and a natural,
healthy growth. Among the advances
over past sessions two recently made
are specially noteworthy.
THE NEW BUILDING.
To take the place Of the old eyesore
on Lombardy street have risen the walls
of a new and very handsome building.
containing gymnasium and bathrooms,
and dining room 30xl0 feet, with
panelled ceiling, finished in hard wood
sixteen feet above the floor. Delays,
occasioned by the excessive heat Of
July and by the numerous accidents
and incidents Of building, have 50 i'm
pcded the work that it cannot be ready
for occupancy for some two months.
Meantime the students can find table
board at the places already mentioned,
or may organize temporarily a messing
club, 10 be run under some disadvan-
tsgcs. They will cheeriully submit TO
necessary Inconvenience while the pros
pect Of a better arrangement is stand
ing yisibly before them and day by day
approaching completion.
MUSEUM AND ART HALL.
The upper story Of the south wing.
fronting on Franklin street, has been
fitted up by the trustees to be con
slant reminder Of the liberal benefac-
tons and even more valuable counsels
Of their late president, James
Thomas, Jr. The hall, 100x46 feet
and % feet pitch. is universally al
mired, and is pronounced by competent
Judges one of the most graceful in its
proportions and the most tastefully
finished room in the whole State.
This portion Of the college buildings
is already, and will be stir moro as the
years go by, Memorial wing. The first
floor IS the library hall, dedicated TO
the memory of DIR. J. b. Jcter, di-
yided into alcoycs, which may he SINH
larly dedicated to Others, and hung
with portraits and memorial tablets.
The upper floor, to be opened Thurs
day night, Will be used for a proper cy-
hihltion Of the museum, now crowded
into one end of the library, for works
of art which the authorities hope gra-
dually to accumulate, and for the pub
lie lectures on science, philosophy, or
art provided for by the liberal dona-
tons Of the widow and children of Mr..
Thomas. At present, however, the
whole space is filed with chairs to seat
the large audience who viii gather
TO take part in the opening exercises.
DIR. JOHN A. BBOADUs.
This eminent scholar and divine,
long an intimate personal friend OF Mr.
Thomas, ardently devoted to the cause
Of education, on which he has wrought
most of his life, well skilled in the
subjects to which the hall will be dedi-
Gated. and withal peerless master in
the practice OF simple, straightforward
lloQucncc. has been selected TO make
the opening address. He is expected
to reach Richmond Tuesday evening,
and at I. NJ. on Thursday the 22d
will deliver his discourse on the life OF
a businessman who freely used his
talents and his means to foster the har-
monious education OF intellect and
heart and taste, and on some
Of the lessons such a lie should
teach. The occasion may not prove
specially attractive to the gay
and frivolous, hut to thoughtful peo-
plc-old OF young and especially to
those who some years ago were familiar
with a portly form which commanded
quail respect on the exchange or IN the
0hurch. il cannot fail to be intensely
So it will be also to all
friends Of the college and all who are
in the cause Of higher edu-
,ation and in the uplifting Of our peo-
pie, even if they have not much time
or reading, by objects and lectures
which elevate the taste and enlarge the
month"; horizon.